The James River Knights (20-8) varsity volleyball team from Buchanan, VA, will host a home playoff match against the Radford Bobcats (14-9) today at 7 p.m. This match is part of the 2024 VHSL Girls Volleyball Region C tournament in Class 2 (Virginia).

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Volleyball
Who: James River vs Radford
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 VHSL Girls Volleyball Region Brackets (Virginia) – Class 2 Region C
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Game preview: James River vs Radford

The volleyball rivalry between Radford and James River has been nothing short of thrilling this season, with both teams showing remarkable performance in the 2024-2025 campaign. With both teams showcasing strong records and a competitive head-to-head history, the stage was set for a thrilling series of matches between these two schools from Virginia.

Team Records & Rankings:

• Radford (24-25): With an overall record of 14-9 and a region record of 9-3, Radford has maintained a solid performance throughout the season. The team has a win percentage of .609 overall, with a strong regional win rate of .750. The Knights have been dominant at home with an 8-3 record but have faced more challenges on the road with a 6-6 mark.
• James River (24-25): The Buchanan-based team, with a record of 20-8 overall and an impressive 11-1 region record, has been one of the top contenders in the area. Their overall win percentage stands at .714, with a regional win rate of .917, highlighting their dominance in their region. James River has been particularly strong at home, with a 13-4 record, though they’ve performed well on the road as well, with a 7-4 away record.

Scoring Averages:

• Radford: The Knights have posted solid offensive numbers, averaging 22.0 points in the first set, 21.8 in the second, 20.1 in the third, and 23.8 in the fourth. Their performance in wins averages 2.0 sets.
• James River: Similarly, James River has maintained a high level of offensive play, with an average of 23.3 points in the first set, 24.0 in the second, 18.1 in the third, and 21.5 in the fourth. Their average in wins is slightly better at 2.1 sets.

Head-to-Head Results: The rivalry reached a peak with several intense matchups this season. On September 24, 2024, Radford defeated James River 3-0 in an away conference match. However, James River bounced back in subsequent matches, winning 3-0 in their home games on October 16 and October 28. Their recent dominance in these matchups put them in a strong position for their next playoff encounter.

Recent Matches: The two teams met in a critical playoff match scheduled for November 12, 2024, with Radford traveling to James River’s home court for a highly anticipated showdown. This matchup, expected to be intense, will likely determine which team advances in the postseason.

Common Opponents: Both teams have faced similar opponents throughout the season. Radford holds a 9-2 record against common opponents, while James River has posted an 8-4 record. Notable matchups include victories over Patrick County (Radford winning 3-1 on September 12 and James River winning 3-1 on October 18), as well as wins against Floyd County and Glenvar, where both teams claimed 3-0 victories.

Record Breakdown:

• Radford:
  • 14-9 overall, 9-3 in league play, 6-6 on the road, 8-3 at home
  • 2-0 in playoff matches
• James River:
  • 20-8 overall, 11-1 in league play, 7-4 on the road, 13-4 at home
  • 2-0 in playoff matches

Looking Ahead: With both teams heading into the postseason with strong records, the upcoming match promises to be a nail-biting affair. Radford has proven its resilience with solid performances in key matchups, while James River enters the match as the favorite with a higher win percentage and a dominant home-court advantage.

The rivalry between Radford and James River is far from over, and the outcome of their upcoming match will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the 2024-2025 volleyball season. Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching to see which squad can secure the win and continue their quest for postseason glory.